Dangerous hidden mould could be lurking in your home – here’s how to find and eliminate it
Mould is extremely bad for your health and even small traces in your home can cause respiratory problems, itchy eyes, coughing, rashes and fatigue.
If you find mould in your home, or suspect that it might be hidden somewhere out of sight, it’s important to take action to stop the spread to protect yourself and your family.
Mould can be found anywhere in your home, but it thrives in damp environments so it’s often found in bathrooms and kitchens. However, it’s not always visible, so you might not know that it’s there.
Allergy-like symptoms that don’t go away could be a warning sign that your home is harbouring dangerous mould.
What is black mould and why is it so dangerous?
Black mould is one of the most common types of mould. It often appears as small black spots, which grow and expand if they’re not removed. It’s a microscopic fungus that’s often found in damp environments, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
Mould can cause a whole host of health issues including breathing difficulties, rashes, and even asthma, so it’s important to take action as soon as you discover any signs of mould in your home.
Black mould isn’t the only mould that could be infesting your home. Factory Direct Flooring teamed up with a microbiology lab (BioLabTests) to analyse 100 swabs taken from floors in UK homes.
The study found that mould was the most common of six bacteria strains found on the floors of UK homes, with bathroom floors hosting 237 cluster forming units (CFUs) compared with an average of 176 CFUs in other rooms.
Paul Hambidge, Managing Director of Factory Direct Flooring, says: ‘Mould can grow anywhere where humidity levels are especially high, or near water leaks, and can look like little spots (usually black, grey, brown or green) or even appear fuzzy. Mildew is similar in appearance to mould, but it's usually more powdery and appears flat.’
Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy says the study shows that flooring can provide a home for ‘numerous infecting organisms’.
‘There are crevices and cracks between floorboards or tiles which are nooks and crannies where bacteria and other organisms can grow,’ she says. ‘Carpet fibres offer a great opportunity to harbour dirt and pathogens. Meanwhile, bathrooms and toilets are full of moisture and provide an ideal environment for moulds and certain bacteria.’
How do I find hidden mould in my house?
The hardest mould to get rid of is the mould that you can’t see – and it can lurk out of sight in your home. Mould spores can float in the air, invisible and unseen, spreading throughout your home.
Often the first warning sign is a musty or earthy scent in the air, but as the mould takes hold it can develop a more unpleasant odour that has been compared to rotting meat. Other warning signs include peeling paint or discolouration from water damage.
If you’re still unsure whether or not there’s mould in your home, there are other ways to check. Henrique Conceicao, Area Manager at Total Clean, says investing in a water meter is a good idea: ‘If you find levels above 20%, there might be a problem. I’ve found that using an infrared camera is particularly helpful; it often reveals temperature differences that suggest moisture presence and potential mould.’
Henrique says that you should try to identify the source of the mould – it may be necessary to seal a leak or remove affected materials such as drywall.
Mould can also linger around your furniture. Henry Paterson, Cleaning Expert at Housekeep, says: ‘You can sometimes find mould creeping in inside cupboards and wardrobes. Another place is on the walls behind furniture, especially if yours is pressed right against the wall.
‘Carpets can end up harbouring bacteria and other nasties that are trampled in from elsewhere. They can also end up trapping moisture within the fibres. There are also mould spores in the air naturally, which can land and settle on carpets.
‘Add moisture from spillages to the equation – which aren't always cleared up correctly – and it's not surprising that carpets can become a hot spot for mould growth.’
Mould and other bacteria can thrive in your bedding, particularly in your mattress. Catrin Davis, Senior Product Manager at SDA Hoover says: ‘Mould can be a problem in mattresses, especially if the environment is humid. The spores released can cause allergic reactions.
‘If you want to prevent this happening, it’s worth investing in a specialist mattress cleaner which dries out the mattress using 50° hot air, such as the Hoover HMC5.’
Washing laundry at lower temperatures is a great way to save energy, but mould can build up inside your washing machine if you regularly put on a cold wash.
Dr Jonathan Kirby, Mould Expert at Dryzone says: ‘Washing clothes at lower temperatures (under 40℃) allows biological growth to survive in your machine and on your clothes. Make sure to regularly clean your washing machine to ensure it isn’t harbouring harmful black mould.’
Your washing machine isn’t the only appliance you need to check for mould – your fridge is another potential mould hotspot. ‘Moisture build-up can lead to mould and potential contamination,’ Dr Kirby explains. ‘One of the easiest ways to prevent mould from your fridge is to regularly organise it and ensure everything that goes inside is completely dry.’
As we head into winter, it’s worth inspecting your roof, chimney, garage and any outbuildings for mould. ‘Household mould thrives in dark, damp and humid environments, making chimneys and roofs the perfect spot for mould to grow. The earlier you spot the signs of excess moisture and mould by regularly inspecting your chimney and roof, the easier it will be to remove growing mould,’ Dr Kirby adds.
‘During winter, the air temperature inside your garage or shed can change, becoming a breeding ground for mould. To keep this at a minimum, regularly remove clutter and open doors to ensure healthy air circulation and keep moisture at bay.’
How to prevent mould in your home
When you’re tackling mould in your home, good ventilation is key. Henry Paterson advises focusing on areas of your home where mould is more likely to grow, such as kitchens and bathrooms. ‘In practice, this means windows open where and when you can, and good, working extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms,’ he says.
‘If your home is prone to humidity, invest in a dehumidifier to maintain the right levels, which is usually 30-60% relative humidity depending on the time of year.’
Avoid drying clothes indoors during the winter months as much as possible, but if you have to then make sure the room is well-ventilated and use a dehumidifier if you can. Piles of damp laundry can harbour mould, so decluttering is a great way to prevent mould in your home.
Check cupboards and closets for signs of mould regularly. If you find any mould, remove all of your clothes and clean the wardrobe, leaving it to dry completely before you refill it.
If the mould keeps coming back, there could be a more serious problem to fix. ‘Mould might also be something more serious like a leaking pipe inside walling or beneath the floorboards, or somewhere where moisture can seep into your home,’ Henry says.
‘You may need specialist help in identifying where the mould is coming from and finding a long-term fix. A mould control and removal service can help with this. If you're renting, make sure that you speak to your landlord or estate agent about the mould, and insist on their help in both removing and cleaning in the short term and ensuring that the mould does not return in the long term.’
Condensation is a major cause of mould in the home. Ventilation helps to prevent condensation, but putting on the heating will also help to keep your house mould-free in the winter months. You can also reduce condensation by moving furniture away from the walls to allow air to circulate.
If you notice moisture forming on any surfaces, make sure you clean them regularly and dry them with a cloth to stop mould growing.
Expert tips for getting rid of mould in your home
You may be able to remove small amounts of mould yourself, but if it starts getting out of control then it’s time to call in the professionals.
Henry Paterson recommends wearing gloves, goggles and a face covering to protect yourself when cleaning mouldy surfaces. He advises using a mould removing spray and testing it on an inconspicuous area first in case it damages the surface. After you’ve cleaned mouldy walls, you can paint the area with an anti-mould paint for extra protection.
If you don’t have a specialised mould cleaning product, you can make your own by diluting one part bleach with one part water according to B&Q. For any areas where you don’t want to use strong chemicals, white vinegar is an effective cleaner. Warning: do NOT use bleach and vinegar together, as the chemicals react and produce dangerous chlorine gas.
Vinegar can also be used to remove mould from curtains – just leave them to soak for a couple of hours, then wash them as normal.
For painted wood surfaces, the best cleaner is a mixture of water and washing up liquid. This will clean the furniture effectively without damaging the paint.
Another way to keep mould at bay is to buy an air purifier – this can help to filter out unseen mould spores floating around in the air.
‘Airborne mould particles have been shown to cause irritation in eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, says Lars Dunberger, Head of Technology at Blueair. ‘It is therefore key to make sure you maintain a well-ventilated environment. Ensure that bathroom and kitchen extraction fans are running and thoroughly clean mould hotspots regularly.
‘During the cleaning process to remove mould from your environment, spores are likely to become airborne. To get rid of mould spores from indoor air, a high-performing air purifier certified for mould removal should be used.’
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Factory Direct Flooring’s study found that vacuuming was the most effective way to remove mould from your flooring. Vacuuming reduced mould bacteria by 71% compared to floor wipes, which only reduced the bacteria by 30%. Steaming was the least effective cleaning method in the study, as it only reduced the mould bacteria by 28%.
If you ever needed an argument to win the no shoes in the house debate, look no further: the study also revealed that mould levels were higher in homes where shoes were worn indoors, with an average of 181 CFUs found compared to 132 CFUs in shoe-free households!
